Bowel Cancer Awareness Research Articles

Public Awareness and Barriers to Seeking Medical Advice for Colorectal Cancer in the Gaza Strip: A Cross-Sectional Study.

PURPOSERaising awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms for early recognition, reduction of modifiable risk factors, and removing barriers to seeking medical help could lower its mortality. This study aimed to assess the level of public awareness of CRC in the Gaza Strip.MATERIALS AND METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study conducted at three hospitals and 10 high schools between September and October 2017. The Arabic version of the validated Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure (BoCAM) questionnaire was used to evaluate awareness of CRC symptoms and risk factors, and barriers to seeking medical help. Adults (age ≥ 18 years) in three major hospitals and adolescents (ages 15 to 17 years) in 10 schools were recruited for face-to-face interviews to complete the BoCAM.RESULTSOf 3,172 potential participants, 3,080 completed the BoCAM (response rate, 97.1%). Among these, 1,578 (51.2%) were adults and 1,614 (52.4%) were females. Persistent abdominal pain was the most commonly recognized CRC symptom (n = 1,899; 61.7%), whereas anorectal pain was the least common (n = 1,056; 34.3%). In total, 2,177 (70.7%) were not confident in recognizing CRC symptoms or signs. Having a bowel disease was the most frequently recognized CRC risk factor (n = 1,456; 47.3%) and diabetes the least recognized (n = 591; 19.2%). The overall mean scores ± standard deviations for recalling and recognizing CRC symptoms were 1.2 ± 1.3 and 4.3 ± 2.3, respectively (out of 9 points). The overall mean scores ± standard deviations for recalling and recognizing CRC risk factors were 0.7 ± 0.8 and 8.0 ± 3.1, respectively (out of 16 points). Emotional barriers were the most commonly reported barriers to seeking medical help, with feeling worried about what a doctor might find as the most common barrier (n = 1,522; 49.4%).CONCLUSIONPublic awareness of CRC is suboptimal in Gaza. Improving CRC awareness with educational interventions is needed, including in local schools.

Public Awareness and Barriers to Seek Medical Advice for Colorectal Cancer in the Gaza-Strip: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Raising awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) symptoms for early recognition, reduction of lifestyle risk factors, and removing barriers to seek medical help could lower its mortality. This study aimed to assess the level of public awareness of CRC in the Gaza-Strip. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study conducted at three hospitals and ten high schools between September and October 2017. The Arabic version of the Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure (BoCAM) questionnaire was used to evaluate awareness of CRC symptoms, risk factors, and barriers to seek medical help. Adults (aged ≥18 years) in the three hospitals, and adolescents (aged 15-17 years) in ten schools were recruited for face-to-face interviews to complete the BoCAM. Findings: Of 3172 potential participants, 3080 completed the BoCAM (response rate = 97·1%). Among them, 1578 (51·2%) were adult and 1614 (52·4%) were females. Persistent abdominal pain was the most commonly recognized CRC symptom (n=1899, 61·7%). In total, 2177 (70·7%) were not confident in recognizing CRC symptoms. Having a bowel disease was the most frequently recognized CRC risk factor (n= 1456, 47·3%). The overall mean score for recognizing CRC symptoms was 4·3 ± 2·3 out of 9 and for risk factors 8·0 ± 3·1 out of 16. Emotional barriers were the most commonly reported barriers to seek medical help with feeling worried about doctor's findings as the first reason (n= 1522, 49·4%). Interpretation: Public awareness of CRC is suboptimal in Gaza. Improving CRC awareness (e.g., educational outreach) is needed, including in local schools. Funding Statement: No funding was received for this study. Declaration of Interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics Approval Statement: This study was approved from the Department of Human Resources Development at the Ministry of Health in the Gaza-Strip, the authorized body to provide approvals for clinical studies.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Beliefs in Malaysia: A Population-Based Survey

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the fourth major cause of cancer deaths globally; in Malaysia, CRC is the second most common cancer in both males and females. Low awareness of cancer delays help-seeking and contributes to late presentation, poor detection and survival. Aim: We aim to investigate the level of colorectal cancer awareness and beliefs among the Gombak district population of Malaysia as part of a larger study designed to evaluate a cancer awareness-raising campaign. Methods: A survey of colorectal cancer awareness was conducted in Rawang (Gombak district, Selangor) between January and March 2018. This district is representative of a mix of ethnicities, age groups, education levels and income groups. A total of 4000 households were selected randomly from a list of all households by the Government Department of Statistics Malaysia to attain a sample size of 730 adults as indicated by our power calculation and taking potential refusals into account. Trained enumerators randomly selected eligible adults aged over 40 years old from each household and conducted an interview that included sociodemographic information as well as the Bowel Cancer Awareness Measure (CAM), the Attitudes and Beliefs about Cancer questionnaire (ABC) and the Champion Health Belief Model Scale (CHBMS) which were validated in Malaysia. Results: Data collection for this part of the larger study was completed in March. Currently, we are cleaning and entering the survey data into a database in preparation for statistical analysis including χ2 tests of association and logistic regression. The results of the analysis will be presented at the conference. Conclusion: This analysis will provide the first profile of awareness and beliefs about colorectal cancer among the Gombak district population of Malaysia.

The bowel cancer awareness campaign 'Be Clear on Cancer': sustained increased pressure on resources and over-accessed by higher social grades with no increase in cancer detected.

To evaluate the impact of the national 'Be Clear on Cancer' bowel cancer reminder campaign on service and diagnosis at a single UK institution. Secondly, to evaluate the socio-economic background of patients referred before and after the reminder campaign compared with the regional demographic. Suspected cancer 2-week wait patients in the 3 months precampaign, postcampaign and after the reminder campaign were included. Demographics, investigations and diagnosis were recorded. The postcode was used to allocate a National Readership Survey social grade. Three hundred and eighty-three referrals were received in the 3 months precampaign, 550 postcampaign and 470 postreminder campaign. There were significant increases in the monthly referral rates following the campaign (P < 0.001 in both the post- and postreminder periods). Significantly more patients from social grades AB and C1C2 than expected from regional demographics were referred precampaign and after the reminder campaign (P < 0.001 in each case). There were no significant differences between the proportions of patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the three study periods (P = 0.710). The 'Be Clear on Cancer' bowel cancer campaign has had a significant sustained impact on resources. It has failed to increase referrals among lower socio-economic grades, leading to an increase in 'worried well' referrals and no change in numbers, or the stage, of colorectal cancers diagnosed.

Impact of the United Kingdom national bowel cancer awareness campaigns 2012 on colorectal cancer services and patient survival.

The UK national bowel cancer awareness campaigns in 2012 were intended to improve survival of patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) by raising public awareness and prompting symptomatic individuals to seek medical attention early. The aim of the present study was to compare the number of CRCs diagnosed, tumour stage at diagnosis, survival and number of investigations performed during the campaigns compared with a similar time period in 2011. A retrospective study was carried out of 1439 consecutive referrals through the 2-week wait pathway (2WW) to our colorectal unit during the February and September 2012 campaigns. Patient demographics, number of referrals, investigations performed and newly diagnosed cases of CRC with their respective staging were determined and compared with a group in 2011. Two-year survival was evaluated by Kaplan-Meier statistics. Referrals through the 2WW increased by 55-60% and endoscopic and the number of radiological investigations performed increased by over 70% during the awareness campaigns. Although new diagnoses of CRC nearly doubled, the increase in the patients referred meant the diagnostic yield remained low at 6%. The bowel cancer awareness campaigns did not alter the tumour stage at presentation, as over 50% of patients were diagnosed with Stage 3 and 4 CRC and there was no significant difference in 2-year survival. The UK bowel cancer awareness campaigns appear to have improved public awareness of CRC and encouraged symptomatic individuals to seek urgent medical attention. The increase in 2WW referrals has not translated into better survival for symptomatic patients, partly due to the proportion presenting with advanced disease.

PWE-369 Increasing uptake in the bowel cancer screening programme with gp participation: the pearl project

<h3>Introduction</h3> There is wide variation in uptake of bowel cancer screening in England. Areas with a high index of multiple deprivation (IMD) score (more deprived) have lower uptake than areas with low IMD (less deprived). Initiatives to raise awareness of bowel cancer and screening have been sporadic and have not been sustained. Previous studies have demonstrated endorsement by a general practitioner (GP) can increase uptake of bowel cancer screening. The Bowel Cancer Screening Programme (BCSP) Southern Hub is piloting a sustainable intervention to engage subjects in bowel cancer screening by exploiting GP patient knowledge and the Hub’s established procedures for communication - the PEARL (Practice Endorsed Additional Reminder Letter) project. <h3>Method</h3> Practices participating in the project supplied the Hub with a letterhead and GP signature. A computer program was developed to interrogate the BCSP database and identify subjects in those practices who had not participated in screening within 30 days after the standard reminder letter. The list of non-participants was e-mailed to each practice for GPs to identify subjects not suitable for the GP reminder letter (<i>e.g.</i>subjects in receipt of end-of-life-care, unable to have colonoscopy). The list was returned to the Hub and checked again to exclude recent responders and any subjects who had died. Subjects on the final list received an approved GP-endorsed reminder letter on headed and signed stationery. Practices returning three lists received a financial reward. <h3>Results</h3> Forty-six practices with uptake &lt;55% were invited to participate and 25 accepted. Between September 2014–January 2015, 2,370 subjects were identified as non-responders and 1,433 received a GP-endorsed reminder letter. Seventy-seven subjects were excluded by their GP, 853 subjects were on lists not returned to the Hub and three practices failed to return any lists. <h3>Conclusion</h3> We have developed a robust and sustainable system to send GP-endorsed reminder letters to non-responders. The pilot will now be extended to assess the impact on screening uptake and explore factors that will improve GP engagement. The pilot will assess the viability of national adoption within the BCSP. <h3>Disclosure of interest</h3> None Declared.

Coverage of common cancer types in UK national newspapers: a content analysis

ObjectiveTo determine whether recent newspaper coverage of the four most common cancer types relates to their relative burden and national awareness months, and to identify the subject focus during high-coverage...

PTH-073 United Kingdom National Bowel Cancer Awareness Programme – More Pain, No Gain?

IntroductionThe UK government embarked on two National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaigns in 2012 to raise public awareness of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to prompt symptomatic individuals to visit their primary...

PTH-057 A Study Of Non-respondents’ Perspectives Of The Barriers Affecting Bowel Cancer Screening Uptake In Wales For The Purposes Of Informing Programme Delivery And Management Of Screening

IntroductionDecreasing participation levels in the Welsh bowel screening programme are cause for concern for Bowel Screening Wales (BSW) and the Welsh Government. BSW, the population screening programme was launched in...

Impact of the United Kingdom National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign on Colorectal Services

Poor public awareness may account for the advanced stage at diagnosis, hence, poorer survival. With the aim of reducing colorectal cancer deaths, the United Kingdom National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign was rolled out from January 2012. Currently, the United Kingdom government target is to have all patients suspected to have cancer seen within 2 weeks of referral from general practitioners. This has significant impact on the workload for endoscopists. The study aimed to measure the impact on colorectal services following the National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign. The data between February and July 2012 (onset of campaign) were prospectively collected and compared with data retrospectively collected between February and July 2011 inclusive (before campaign). This study was conducted at a single center, university hospital. The number of 2-week wait referrals, investigations, and colorectal cancers detected were assessed. Demographics, staging, and treatment of cancers were compared between groups along with the uptake of colorectal cancer screening. The total number of 2-week wait referrals increased by 47% with a resultant 38% increase in colonic investigations (p = 0.034) and a 23% increase in cancers detected (p = 0.0157). There was a 6.5% increase in the uptake of screening (p = 0.001) and a 62.5% decrease in the number of patients with colorectal cancer presenting as an emergency. This short period of study is a major limitation. Although the data were from prospectively maintained databases, some data were analyzed retrospectively. Because only a single unit was assessed, results across a wider population may be more pronounced. There was also a referral bias in the compliance of primary care in the adherence to the 2-week wait referral criteria, because these criteria can be abused to get anxious patients into secondary care quickly. The National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign significantly increased the demand for colorectal services. With a potentially more favorable oncological outcome, further evaluation of supporting this greater workload demand is warranted.

Pharmacists’ views on and experiences with bowel cancer screening kits in Auckland, New Zealand

To explore the views of New Zealand pharmacists on bowel cancer screening, particularly with regards to faecal occult blood testing (FOBT) kits, self-perceived knowledge on FOBT kits and barriers, motivators and experiences with selling and counselling consumers with respect to FOBT kits. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face to face or by telephone with 20 community pharmacists in the Auckland region. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and data were coded and analysed using NVivo software to identify key themes. Participant pharmacists believed that they were well placed to provide advice on FOBT kits to consumers. Barriers to selling the kits included cost and perceived lack of test sensitivity of the kits, poor consumer demand, pharmacists' lack of training and information, and a belief that selling FOBT kits was outside the pharmacists' scope of practice. Motivators to selling the kits included customer convenience, ease of use, confidence in the kits and embracing new roles for pharmacists. Pharmacists were concerned that use of the kits may increase the burden on the public health system through customer anxiety over test results; however, they agreed that there was a need for bowel cancer screening and awareness and that people concerned about bowel cancer should make visiting their general practitioner a priority. Pharmacists' views were mixed. Pharmacists' training and competence with respect to the provision of bowel cancer kits, and how a bowel cancer screening service can be developed to optimise public health outcomes, need to be addressed.

‘Be Clear on Cancer’: the impact of the UK National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign

The National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign ('Be Clear on Cancer') was launched by the UK government in January 2012, encouraging people with bowel symptoms to present to primary care. Our aim was to evaluate the impact of the campaign on colorectal services in secondary care. Suspected cancer 2-week-wait (2WW) patients 3 months before and 3 months after the launch of the campaign were included. Demographics, reason for referral, investigations performed, cost analysis and eventual diagnoses were collected. Three hundred and forty-three patients [median age 70 (36-100) years, 194 (57%) women] were seen and investigated in the 3 months prior to the launch of the campaign at an average cost of £575 per patient. Twenty-seven (8%) were diagnosed with lower gastrointestinal cancer and 29 (8%) with polyps. In the 3 months following the launch, 544 patients [median age 68 (30-92) years, 290 (53%) women] were reviewed (59% increase; P = 0.004). The 'did not attend' rate fell from 10% to 1%. Thirty-two (6%) patients were diagnosed with a lower gastrointestinal cancer and 20 (4%) with colorectal polyps. The cost per colorectal cancer detected rose from £7585.58 before the campaign to £9662.72 after launch (P = 0.04). The 'Be Clear on Cancer' campaign has substantially increased the number of referrals under the 2WW rule, but mainly in the worried well. This has increased demands on both resources (59% more tests) and finance. Cost per cancer detected rose by 27% with no increase in funding to support the increased activity.

Sa1108 A National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign Did Not Lead to an Increase in Cancer Diagnosis Locally

Sa1108 A National Bowel Cancer Awareness Campaign Did Not Lead to an Increase in Cancer Diagnosis Locally

Did the ‘Be Clear on Bowel Cancer’ public awareness campaign pilot result in a higher rate of cancer detection?

ObjectivesTo assess the impact of a 7-week public bowel cancer awareness campaign pilot by reviewing the number of 2-week referrals from general practitioners (GPs) to hospital, endoscopic procedures and new...

Participation in bowel cancer screening: an exploration of the processes involved

BackgroundBowel cancer is the third most common cancer and the second major cause of cancer deaths in the UK. Research suggests that the risk of death from bowel cancer can be reduced by 16% through regular screening. An initial scientific literature review shows little research in this area. Previous studies identify non-attendance and low uptake as a major challenge and suggest that these factors could be affected by literacy level, fear, and anxiety. However, many of these studies were undertaken in other locations and countries, limiting replication or generalisation in the UK. There is therefore a need for qualitative investigation into the reasons and motives for low uptake. We explored reasons for participation and non-participation in the NHS bowel cancer screening programme, which requires participants to undertake a faecal occult blood test. We aimed to develop an understanding of behaviour regarding bowel cancer and the screening process; explore how people make sense of information gathered and how this influences their decisions; and describe similarities and differences regarding different groups' perceptions of bowel cancer screening. MethodsQualitative research methods are used to unpick participants' sense-making processes. A grounded theory approach has allowed the development and understanding of how participants form meanings and make decisions dependent on factors such as culture and sex. 26 participants were recruited through the bowel cancer screening hub in accordance with ethics approval. Participants were those who completed the faecal occult blood test (with negative result) and those who declined during the first round of the programme. Data were obtained with semistructured, face-to-face interviews and were analysed with grounded theory techniques. Analysis was done by organisation of data into codes, themes, and categories by Nvivo and Mind Genius software. Interviewer bias was minimised by use of credibility strategies such as member checking, reflexivity, and peer review. FindingsData analysis showed participants' low awareness of the faecal occult blood test before they received the invitation for screening. Awareness of bowel cancer was mainly through past experience or family history or was work-related. Data suggested that demography and cultural issues such as age, sex, taboo, attitudes, altruism, so-called ostrich syndrome, and stoicism can affect behaviour and decisions. Knowledge and awareness were identified as factors in breaking some of the cultural barriers affecting uptake. Main reasons for uptake were health protection or peace of mind. All participants viewed screening positively and will continue with screening. Men seemed very keen to participate in screening and seemed as mindful of their health as were women. Possible reasons to decline the invitation included “if I don't know it won't happen to me”, “taboo subject”, “method of stool sample collection”, “fear”, and “messy and not pleasant”. Limitations of our study included the small number of people who declined screening: only two declined in the first round, but have completed subsequent screening. Several practical issues have been identified that will inform service provision—eg, improvement of the invitation letter and information about sample collection. InterpretationWe expect the output of this research to inform future practice and policy implementation towards increased awareness, improved perception and uptake of screening, and service improvement that could lead to a substantial reduction in bowel cancer deaths. The findings will also be drawn on to explore the role of social marketing in improving perception and uptake of the bowel cancer screening programme. FundingNorthumbria University at Newcastle upon Tyne in conjunction with North East, Yorkshire and Humber Quality Assurance Reference Centre for Cancer Screening (NEYHQARC).

PWE-092 Will the national awareness and early diagnosis initiative (NAEDI) have an impact on bowel cancer screening activity?

Introduction1- and 5-year survival from all cancers in England is poorer than for other comparable countries, largely because of delayed diagnosis. The UK's Department of Health has estimated that if...

Bowel cancer awareness campaign

Gastrointestinal NursingVol. 10, No. 1 commentBowel cancer awareness campaignWarren ChapmanWarren ChapmanSearch for more papers by this authorWarren ChapmanPublished Online:16 Aug 2013https://doi.org/10.12968/gasn.2012.10.1.6AboutSectionsView articleView Full TextPDF/EPUB ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InEmail View article FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails 1 February 2012Volume 10Issue 1ISSN (print): 1479-5248ISSN (online): 2052-2835 Metrics History Published online 16 August 2013 Published in print 1 February 2012 Information© MA Healthcare LimitedPDF download

National campaign to promote awareness of bowel cancer

National campaign to promote awareness of bowel cancer

Raising the awareness of bowel cancer

Raising the awareness of bowel cancer

Australia's national bowel cancer screening program: does it work for indigenous Australians?

BackgroundDespite a lower incidence of bowel cancer overall, Indigenous Australians are more likely to be diagnosed at an advanced stage when prognosis is poor. Bowel cancer screening is an effective means of reducing incidence and mortality from bowel cancer through early identification and prompt treatment. In 2006, Australia began rolling out a population-based National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) using the Faecal Occult Blood Test. Initial evaluation of the program revealed substantial disparities in bowel cancer screening uptake with Indigenous Australians significantly less likely to participate in screening than the non-Indigenous population.This paper critically reviews characteristics of the program which may contribute to the discrepancy in screening uptake, and includes an analysis of organisational, structural, and socio-cultural barriers that play a part in the poorer participation of Indigenous and other disadvantaged and minority groups.MethodsA search was undertaken of peer-reviewed journal articles, government reports, and other grey literature using electronic databases and citation snowballing. Articles were critically evaluated for relevance to themes that addressed the research questions.ResultsThe NBCSP is not reaching many Indigenous Australians in the target group, with factors contributing to sub-optimal participation including how participants are selected, the way the screening kit is distributed, the nature of the test and comprehensiveness of its contents, cultural perceptions of cancer and prevailing low levels of knowledge and awareness of bowel cancer and the importance of screening.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the population-based approach to implementing bowel cancer screening to the Australian population unintentionally excludes vulnerable minorities, particularly Indigenous and other culturally and linguistically diverse groups. This potentially contributes to exacerbating the already widening disparities in cancer outcomes that exist among Indigenous Australians. Modifications to the program are recommended to facilitate access and participation by Indigenous and other minority populations. Further research is also needed to understand the needs and social and cultural sensitivities of these groups around cancer screening and inform alternative approaches to bowel cancer screening.